Which integrations are available for this server?

Provides tools for interacting with Google Maps Platform APIs, including maps (static maps, street view, elevation), routes (directions, distance matrix, route optimization), and places (geocoding, place details, search, autocomplete, photos, address validation, timezone).

How do I use google-maps-mcp?

1. Click on "Install Server". 2. Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state. 3. In the chat, type @ followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@google-maps-mcp Show me the fastest route from San Francisco to Los Angeles" That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed. Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.

google-maps-mcp

by apurvaumredkar

Overview Schema Related Servers Score Discussions

TypeScript

Remote

google-maps-mcp

A TypeScript Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes Google Maps Platform APIs as tools for LLMs. Gives AI assistants real, structured map data — directions, transit routes, place search, address validation, photos, elevation, and more — instead of guessing from training data.

Works with Claude Desktop and any other MCP-compatible client.

Features

15 tools across three categories:

Category	Tools
Maps	Static map image URL, embed URL (iframe), elevation data, Street View image URL
Routes	Turn-by-turn directions (drive/walk/cycle/transit), distance matrix, multi-stop route optimization
Places	Geocoding / reverse geocoding, place details, text search, nearby search, autocomplete, photos, address validation, timezone

Transport: HTTP Streamable (stateful sessions, SSE keep-alive) — the modern MCP transport, compatible with mcp-remote and all HTTP-capable clients.

Minimal footprint: only two runtime dependencies (@modelcontextprotocol/sdk, zod). All Google Maps calls use Node.js built-in fetch against REST APIs — no Google SDK required.

Prerequisites

Node.js 22+ (or Docker)
mcp-remote — install once globally: npm install -g mcp-remote
A Google Maps Platform API key with the relevant APIs enabled (see below)
A Google Cloud project with billing enabled

APIs to enable in Google Cloud Console

Go to APIs & Services → Library and enable:

API	Used by
Maps Static API	`maps_static_map`
Street View Static API	`maps_street_view`
Maps Embed API	`maps_embed_url`
Elevation API	`maps_elevation`
Geocoding API	`places_geocode`
Time Zone API	`places_timezone`
Places API (New)	`places_details`, `places_text_search`, `places_nearby_search`, `places_autocomplete`, `places_photos`
Address Validation API	`places_address_validation`
Routes API	`routes_compute`, `routes_matrix`
Route Optimization API	`routes_optimize` (optional)

You can restrict the key to these APIs and to your server's IP for production use.

Quick Start

Option A — Run with Docker (recommended)

docker run -d \
  --name google-maps-mcp \
  -p 127.0.0.1:3003:3003 \
  -e GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here \
  -e MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=your_secret_token \
  ghcr.io/apurvaumredkar/google-maps-mcp:latest

Verify:

curl http://localhost:3003/health
# {"status":"ok","service":"google-maps-mcp"}

Option B — npm / npx

No install required — run directly with npx:

GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here \
MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=your_secret_token \
npx mcp-server-google-maps
# google-maps-mcp listening on port 3003

Or install globally:

npm install -g mcp-server-google-maps
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=your_secret_token mcp-server-google-maps

Set PORT= to change the default port (3003).

Option C — Build from source

git clone https://github.com/apurvaumredkar/google-maps-mcp.git
cd google-maps-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Create a .env file (or export the vars):

GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here
MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=your_secret_token
# Optional — only needed for routes_optimize:
GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID=your_project_id

Start the server:

GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=... MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=... npm start
# google-maps-mcp listening on port 3003

Option D — Docker Compose (self-hosted stack)

Add to your docker-compose.yml:

services:
  google-maps-mcp:
    build: .
    container_name: google-maps-mcp
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:3003:3003"
    environment:
      - GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=${GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}
      - MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=${MCP_AUTH_TOKEN}
      - GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID=${GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID:-}

Environment Variables

Variable	Required	Description
`GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY`	Yes	Your Google Maps Platform API key
`MCP_AUTH_TOKEN`	No	Secret token clients must send in the `X-Api-Key` header. Omit for local-only use; set when exposing the server over a network or proxy. Generate with `openssl rand -hex 32`
`PORT`	No	HTTP port (default: `3003`)
`GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID`	No	Required only for `routes_optimize` (Route Optimization API)

Connecting a Client

This server works with any MCP-compatible client — Claude Desktop, LM Studio, Cursor, or any other tool that supports the Model Context Protocol. The config format may differ per client, but the endpoint and auth are the same.

The server exposes a single endpoint: POST/GET http://localhost:3003/mcp

If MCP_AUTH_TOKEN is set, all requests must include the header:

X-Api-Key: <MCP_AUTH_TOKEN>

If MCP_AUTH_TOKEN is not set, no header is required (suitable for local-only use).

Claude Desktop (example)

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote",
        "http://localhost:3003/mcp",
        "--header",
        "X-Api-Key: your_secret_token"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tool Reference

Maps

`maps_static_map` — Static Map Image

Returns a direct image URL for a static map.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`center`	string	required	Address or `lat,lng`
`zoom`	integer	`13`	Zoom level 0–21
`size`	string	`640x480`	Image dimensions WxH in pixels
`maptype`	enum	`roadmap`	`roadmap` \| `satellite` \| `terrain` \| `hybrid`
`markers`	string	—	Marker spec e.g. `color:red\|48.8566,2.3522`
`path`	string	—	Path spec for drawing routes
`format`	enum	`png`	`png` \| `jpg` \| `gif`
`scale`	enum	`1`	`1` = standard, `2` = HiDPI/retina
`language`	string	—	BCP 47 language code for labels
`region`	string	—	ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 region code

`maps_embed_url` — Maps Embed URL

Returns an iframe-ready embed URL.

Parameter	Type	Description
`mode`	enum	`place` \| `directions` \| `search` \| `view` \| `streetview`
`q`	string	Place/search query (place, search modes)
`center`	string	`lat,lng` for view/streetview mode
`zoom`	integer	Zoom level
`origin` / `destination`	string	For directions mode
`waypoints`	string	Pipe-separated waypoints
`maptype`	enum	`roadmap` \| `satellite`

`maps_elevation` — Elevation Data

Returns elevation in metres above sea level.

Parameter	Type	Description
`locations`	string	Pipe-separated `lat,lng` pairs
`path`	string	Pipe-separated `lat,lng` path
`samples`	integer	Number of samples along path (2–512)

`maps_street_view` — Street View Image

Returns a direct Street View panorama image URL.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`location`	string	—	Address or `lat,lng`
`pano`	string	—	Specific panorama ID (overrides location)
`size`	string	`640x480`	Image size WxH
`heading`	number	—	Camera heading 0–360°
`pitch`	number	—	Camera pitch -90° to 90°
`fov`	number	`90`	Field of view 10–120°
`source`	enum	—	`outdoor` to exclude indoor panoramas

Routes

`routes_compute` — Compute Route

Turn-by-turn directions with real-time traffic.

TRANSIT restrictions: TRANSIT mode does not support intermediates (waypoints) or route modifiers (avoid_tolls, avoid_highways, avoid_ferries). Passing these with travel_mode: TRANSIT returns a clear error — compute separate legs instead (A→B, then B→C).

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`origin`	string	required	Address or `lat,lng`
`destination`	string	required	Address or `lat,lng`
`travel_mode`	enum	`DRIVE`	`DRIVE` \| `WALK` \| `BICYCLE` \| `TRANSIT` \| `TWO_WHEELER`
`transit_allowed_modes`	enum[]	—	Filter transit to specific vehicle types: `BUS` \| `SUBWAY` \| `TRAIN` \| `LIGHT_RAIL` \| `RAIL`. Only applies when `travel_mode` is `TRANSIT`
`intermediates`	string[]	—	Waypoints between origin and destination (not supported with `TRANSIT`)
`departure_time`	string	—	ISO 8601 datetime for traffic-aware routing
`avoid_tolls`	boolean	`false`	Avoid toll roads (not supported with `TRANSIT`)
`avoid_highways`	boolean	`false`	Avoid highways (not supported with `TRANSIT`)
`avoid_ferries`	boolean	`false`	Avoid ferries (not supported with `TRANSIT`)
`units`	enum	`METRIC`	`METRIC` \| `IMPERIAL`
`compute_alternative_routes`	boolean	`false`	Return up to 3 alternatives

`routes_matrix` — Route Distance Matrix

Compute travel time/distance between multiple origins and destinations simultaneously.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`origins`	string[]	required	Up to 25 addresses or `lat,lng` strings
`destinations`	string[]	required	Up to 25 addresses or `lat,lng` strings
`travel_mode`	enum	`DRIVE`	`DRIVE` \| `WALK` \| `BICYCLE` \| `TRANSIT`
`departure_time`	string	—	ISO 8601 datetime
`units`	enum	`METRIC`	`METRIC` \| `IMPERIAL`

`routes_optimize` — Optimize Multi-Stop Route

Optimizes stop order to minimize total travel. Requires GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID.

Parameter	Type	Description
`vehicle_start`	string	Start location — must be `lat,lng` (geocode first if needed)
`vehicle_end`	string	End location (defaults to start)
`visits`	object[]	Array of `{ address, label?, duration_minutes? }` — addresses must be `lat,lng`
`travel_mode`	enum	`DRIVING` \| `WALKING`

Places

`places_geocode` — Geocode / Reverse Geocode

Convert addresses ↔ coordinates.

Parameter	Type	Description
`address`	string	Address to geocode
`latlng`	string	`lat,lng` for reverse geocoding
`region`	string	ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 region bias
`components`	string	Component filter e.g. `country:FR\|postal_code:75001`

`places_details` — Place Details

Full details for a place by its Google Place ID.

Parameter	Type	Description
`place_id`	string	Google Place ID
`fields`	string	Comma-separated field mask (has sensible default)
`language_code`	string	Response language

`places_text_search` — Search Places by Text

Find places matching a natural language query.

Parameter	Type	Description
`query`	string	e.g. `"best ramen in Tokyo"`
`location_bias_lat/lng`	number	Bias results toward this location
`location_bias_radius_m`	number	Bias circle radius
`max_results`	integer	1–20, default 10
`min_rating`	number	Minimum average star rating (0–5)
`open_now`	boolean	Only currently open places
`included_type`	string	Filter by place type e.g. `restaurant`
`price_levels`	enum[]	`PRICE_LEVEL_FREE` … `PRICE_LEVEL_VERY_EXPENSIVE`

`places_nearby_search` — Search Nearby Places

Find places near a coordinate within a radius.

Parameter	Type	Description
`latitude` / `longitude`	number	Center of search
`radius_m`	number	Search radius in metres (max 50,000)
`included_types`	string[]	Place type filters
`excluded_types`	string[]	Place types to exclude
`max_results`	integer	1–20, default 10
`rank_preference`	enum	`DISTANCE` \| `POPULARITY`

`places_autocomplete` — Place Autocomplete

Predict place names from partial input.

Parameter	Type	Description
`input`	string	Partial text to complete
`location_bias_lat/lng`	number	Bias toward this location
`included_primary_types`	string[]	Type filter
`country_codes`	string[]	ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country filter
`include_query_predictions`	boolean	Also return query predictions

`places_photos` — Place Photos

Get photo URLs for a place.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`place_id`	string	required	Google Place ID
`max_photos`	integer	`3`	Max photos to return (1–10)
`max_width_px`	integer	`1200`	Max photo width in pixels
`max_height_px`	integer	`900`	Max photo height in pixels

`places_address_validation` — Validate Address

Validate and standardize a postal address.

Parameter	Type	Description
`address_lines`	string[]	Address lines
`region_code`	string	ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code
`locality`	string	City/town
`administrative_area`	string	State/province
`postal_code`	string	Postal code
`enable_usps_cass`	boolean	USPS CASS validation (US only)

`places_timezone` — Get Timezone

Get IANA timezone and UTC/DST offset for any coordinates.

Parameter	Type	Description
`latitude` / `longitude`	number	Location
`timestamp`	integer	Unix timestamp for DST calculation (defaults to now)
`language`	string	Response language

Architecture

src/
├── index.ts         # Raw Node.js HTTP server, auth, stateful session management
├── server.ts        # McpServer instantiation + tool registration
├── maps-client.ts   # Typed fetch wrappers for all Google Maps REST APIs
└── tools/
    ├── maps.ts      # 4 tools: static map, embed, elevation, street view
    ├── routes.ts    # 3 tools: compute route, matrix, optimize
    └── places.ts    # 8 tools: geocode, details, text search, nearby, autocomplete,
                     #          photos, address validation, timezone

Key design decisions:

Raw node:http instead of Express — required for correct interop with the MCP SDK's internal Hono-based request handling. Express pre-consumes the request body stream in a way that breaks StreamableHTTPServerTransport.
Stateful session map — mcp-remote and SSE keep-alive require sessions to persist across requests. Sessions are keyed by Mcp-Session-Id header and cleaned up on transport close.
Auth before body read — the X-Api-Key check happens on the header before any body stream is touched, so rejected requests drain cleanly.
Auth split for Google APIs — legacy REST APIs (Static Maps, Geocoding, Elevation, Timezone, Street View) use ?key= query param; new APIs (Places v1, Routes v2, Address Validation) use X-Goog-Api-Key header.

Development

npm run dev    # TypeScript watch mode (tsc --watch)
npm run build  # Compile to dist/
npm start      # Run compiled server

Rebuild Docker image after changes

docker compose build google-maps-mcp
docker compose up -d google-maps-mcp

Testing the MCP endpoint

# Health check (no auth required)
curl http://localhost:3003/health

# MCP initialize (auth required)
TOKEN=your_secret_token
curl -s -X POST http://localhost:3003/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: $TOKEN" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"initialize","params":{"protocolVersion":"2024-11-05","capabilities":{},"clientInfo":{"name":"test","version":"1"}},"id":1}'

# List tools (use session ID from Mcp-Session-Id response header)
SESSION=<Mcp-Session-Id from above>
curl -s -X POST http://localhost:3003/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: $TOKEN" \
  -H "Mcp-Session-Id: $SESSION" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"tools/list","id":2}'

Windows/WSL gotcha: if your .env file has Windows CRLF line endings, extract values with tr -d '\r':
TOKEN=$(grep MCP_AUTH_TOKEN .env | cut -d= -f2 | tr -d '\r')

Changelog

v1.0.4

routes_compute: Added early validation for TRANSIT mode — passing intermediates or route modifiers (avoid_tolls, avoid_highways, avoid_ferries) now returns a clear, actionable error instead of a cryptic 400 from the Google API.

v1.0.3

routes_compute: Added transit_allowed_modes parameter to filter transit routes by vehicle type (BUS, SUBWAY, TRAIN, LIGHT_RAIL, RAIL).

v1.0.2

Initial public release with 15 tools across Maps, Routes, and Places categories.

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maintenance

How are these scores calculated?

Maintenance

–Maintainers

–Response time

2wRelease cycle

3Releases (12mo)

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google-maps-mcp

Features

Prerequisites

APIs to enable in Google Cloud Console

Quick Start

Option A — Run with Docker (recommended)

Option B — npm / npx

Option C — Build from source

Option D — Docker Compose (self-hosted stack)

Environment Variables

Connecting a Client

Claude Desktop (example)

Tool Reference

Maps

maps_static_map — Static Map Image

maps_embed_url — Maps Embed URL

maps_elevation — Elevation Data

maps_street_view — Street View Image

Routes

routes_compute — Compute Route

routes_matrix — Route Distance Matrix

routes_optimize — Optimize Multi-Stop Route

Places

places_geocode — Geocode / Reverse Geocode

places_details — Place Details

places_text_search — Search Places by Text

places_nearby_search — Search Nearby Places

places_autocomplete — Place Autocomplete

places_photos — Place Photos

places_address_validation — Validate Address

places_timezone — Get Timezone

Architecture

Development

Rebuild Docker image after changes

Testing the MCP endpoint

Changelog

v1.0.4

v1.0.3

v1.0.2

Maintenance

Resources

Looking for Admin?

Latest Blog Posts

MCP directory API

`maps_static_map` — Static Map Image

`maps_embed_url` — Maps Embed URL

`maps_elevation` — Elevation Data

`maps_street_view` — Street View Image

`routes_compute` — Compute Route

`routes_matrix` — Route Distance Matrix

`routes_optimize` — Optimize Multi-Stop Route

`places_geocode` — Geocode / Reverse Geocode

`places_details` — Place Details

`places_text_search` — Search Places by Text

`places_nearby_search` — Search Nearby Places

`places_autocomplete` — Place Autocomplete

`places_photos` — Place Photos

`places_address_validation` — Validate Address

`places_timezone` — Get Timezone